Dear Neighbor,

One of my most important roles is to support and celebrate those in our community who go above and beyond to make their neighborhood, the Braddock District, and Fairfax County an even better place to live, work, and play. Last night we came together to do just that at our 2022 Best of Braddock Awards ceremony. The nine individuals and organizations recognized last night have each made enormous contributions and exemplify the spirit of service and collaboration that make this such a special place.

I want to thank the Braddock District Council, Chairman Jeff McKay, Senator Dave Marsden, Delegate David Bulova, the Annandale High School Culinary Arts program led by Chef Christopher Plum, the West Springfield District Police Station, and our volunteers and staff who helped make the event a success.

In addition to the awards I presented, each winner will be added to the Best of Braddock plaques displayed in our office. They have also been recognized in the Congressional Record and by the Senate of Virginia, thanks to Congressman Connolly and Senator Marsden.

Here are the 2022 Best of Braddock Award winners:

Citizen of the Year

Brian Bishop

Young Person of the Year

Pedro Leonardo Herrera Santiago – Elementary School Winner

Lucas Bickford – High School Winner

Club or Organization Making a Difference

SevaTruck

Holy Spirit Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Neighborhood Beautification, Enhancement or Community-Building Effort

Amy Gould

Friends of Royal Lake (FORL)

Most "Can-Do" Public Employee

John Berlin, Fairfax County Park Authority

Melissa Adams, Canterbury Woods Elementary School

Holiday Giving

The holiday season is upon us, and many of us are looking for ways to give to those in need. The County’s Office of Public Affairs has compiled a list of organizations you can support with gift donations, warm clothing, and food.

In the Braddock District, a local Eagle Scout is organizing a blood drive on December 17 and a winter coat drive, both at our office. The Fairfax County Police are holding a Holiday Toy and Food Drive at the Cardinal Forest Giant on Saturday the 10th from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Speed Camera Pilot Program

As a result of legislation supported by the Board of Supervisors, counties like Fairfax have the authority to place speed cameras in school zones and construction zones. As I've written before, we are experiencing an epidemic of unsafe driving which is having tragic results.

On Tuesday, December 6, my colleagues and I approved a measure that will initially place 10 speed cameras, with the plan to expand to 80 more in the coming years. While there will be fines for violations, the goal is to change driver behavior and improve safety for those who are vulnerable in school and work zones, rather than generate revenue. You can learn more about the speed camera program here.

Continue reading below for more information on:

• Temporary Waiver of Landfill Disposal Fees for Former Haulin' Trash Customers
• Food and Toy Drives
• Meeting December 13 on Proposed Rezoning on Zion Drive
• Public Input Forum on Community Space at Heritage Mall
• Filing Personal Property Taxes to be More Efficient & Customer-Friendly
• Holiday Electrical Safety
• Transportation Updates
• Health Updates

Supervisor James Walkinshaw

After the announcement of the sudden closure of Haulin' Trash, a private hauler serving several thousand Fairfax County customers, the Board of Supervisors approved a temporary waiver of disposal fees for residential customers of the former company. Affected residents can bring solid waste to the I-95 Landfill Complex or the I-66 Transfer Station from now through the remainder of December. To qualify for the waiver, residents must provide a Haulin’ Trash bill as proof they were customers. Visit the Public Works website for more information.

FCPD Holiday Toy and Food Drive

Saturday, December 10, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 

Giant Food Store 

8320 Old Keene Mill Road 

Springfield, VA 22152

Officers from the West Springfield District Police Station will be hosting a toy and food drive. 

They are asking for *NEW* unwrapped toys to be donated. These toys will be sent to their Motor Squad for the Santa’s Ride event. The Motor Squad will be delivering these toys to kids at the Inova Children’s Hospital and the Georgetown Hospital Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The food will benefit ECHO, a charity that provides food and financial help to people with short-term emergencies. ECHO also provides clothes and household items to people who need them. 

Items that are requested are in order of priority: can vegetables, can soup, spaghetti sauce, pasta, jelly, vegetable oil, muffin mix, Jello/pudding mix, macaroni and cheese, pancake mix, can tomatoes, box rice, peanut butter, eggs, margarine, bread, condiments, can meat, tortillas, salsa, BBQ sauce, juice (both individual and family size), tea and coffee. "Family Sized" items only please. Extra-large items (25 lb. bags of flour, 5-6 lb. single cans of anything) are too large for distribution to ECHO client families, which have four people on average. 

Contact PFC Liam May (703-277-2357) at the West Springfield District Station with any questions.

ECHO donation boxes for food and winter coats are also located at Supervisor Walkinshaw's Office, 9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke VA 22015.

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is participating in the Annual National Capital Region Fire and EMS Departments’ 2022 Toys for Tots Campaign. The intent of the campaign is to “bring holiday joy and deliver a message of hope to children.” Stations will accept donations now through Sunday, December 11, 2022.

Collection boxes are placed outside the front door of each fire and rescue station every morning. Residents will be able to drop off toys until 8:00 p.m. each evening.

Visit the Fire & Rescue Department Blog for more details.

Thank you for your support!

The Braddock District Land Use and Environment Committee invites residents to join on December 13 at 7:00 p.m. for a discussion of the rezoning proposal for 10121 Zion Drive, a wooded, undeveloped site known as the Day property.

This 2.51-acre site is located on the west side of Zion Drive, just north of its intersection with Guinea Road and adjacent to the Burke Junction community. A Resource Protection Area (RPA) is located along the western boundary line.

Hybrid Meeting December 13, 7:00 p.m.

• In-person at 9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke VA 22015
• Or, join on Microsoft Teams (from your browser or app): Click here to join the meeting on December 13
• Or call in (audio only): Dial (571) 429-5982; Conference ID 730 922 969#

Residents are encouraged to attend to learn more about the application, ask questions, and share their comments.

The Board of Supervisors approved changes on December 6 to make personal property tax return filing more customer friendly and easier for residents who buy a new car or move one into the county.

Effective Jan. 1, Fairfax County will now automatically file personal property tax returns for these residents, a change that will benefit owners of approximately 133,000 vehicles per year. The move to make the county’s tax systems more effective and efficient for residents is possible thanks to updated technology that relieves the burden from taxpayers.

Read more at the County's News Center.

From the Fire & Rescue Department blog:

Getting ready to put up a real, or artificial, Christmas tree in your home? Before you do, you need to pause a moment and review some important information from our friends at the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI).

Did you know that one third of all Christmas tree fires are a result of electrical failures or malfunctions? Many of these fires can potentially be prevented by following some of the simple steps outlined below.

Taking positive action today may help to ensure your Christmas is a safe and merry one.

With the I-66 Express Lanes now open from Rosslyn to Gainesville, it's a good time to review the details for toll lanes around our region:

Information about the rules for using the I-66 Express Lanes can be found at 66expresslanes.org. HOV-3 can ride all lanes toll-free with an EX-Pass flex transponder. Inside the Beltway, all lanes of I-66 are toll or HOV-3 during rush hour.

For I-95, 495 and 395, visit expresslanes.com.

VDH Sending Voice and Text Messages to Virginians Eligible to Receive Bivalent Booster

The Virginia Department of Health is sending text and voice message reminders to residents aged 50 and above that they are eligible for COVID-19 bivalent boosters. The text/phone reminder campaign began on Monday, November 28th in multiple counties across the Commonwealth, including the Fairfax Health District. 

Members of this population will only receive a message if records indicate they are eligible for, but have not yet received, a bivalent booster. 

The message will read: “VA Dept of Health records indicate you are eligible for a COVID-19 bivalent booster. Schedule an appt at https://vaccines.gov/ or (877) 829-4682.” 

More information on the Health Department website.

Seasonal Flu - Get the Vaccine

Influenza, also known as the flu, is a highly contagious infection of the breathing system (nose, throat and lungs) caused by flu viruses.

Seasonal flu is caused by viruses that already circulate among people. Most people have some immunity and a vaccine is available to help prevent the flu. In the United States, flu season usually starts in late fall and lasts throughout the winter, sometimes into early spring. Each year, more than 200,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized from complications of the flu, and about 36,000 die as a result.

Health experts urge everyone 6 months of age and older to get a flu shot this year and every year.

See: CDC's Frequently Asked Flu Questions: 2022-2023 Season. 

Where to Get a Flu Vaccine

Flu vaccine is available now in the community, including at pharmacies, doctors' offices, and grocery stores. Find a location near you using vaccines.gov.

The Health Department is offering flu shots for children and adults by appointment only. Call (703) 246-7100.

The following fees will apply for a flu vaccine at the Health Department: Uninsured: $25 adults & $21.24 children; Private Insurance: $30. Most health insurance plans cover flu shots for free. The Health Department is out-of-network for private health insurance. If you have private health insurance, you are encouraged to get the flu vaccine at an in-network provider.